The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of press freedom in the country, despite recent improvements in international rankings. Speaking at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), GPU Secretary General Modou S. Joof outlined a troubling picture of harassment, restrictive laws, and government inaction.
Gains in Rankings, But Reality Tells Another Story
The Gambia’s position in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Global Press Freedom Index rose to 46th worldwide and 8th in Africa, one of its best scores in recent years. Yet, Joof cautioned that this progress masks deeper issues. “There remains significant challenges of press freedom and freedom of expression,” he said, pointing to incomplete media law reforms, high taxes on media houses, and the absence of political will to protect journalists.
Journalists Under Attack
The GPU highlighted a series of alarming incidents:
- May 2025: Reporters Sheriff Conteh and Alieu Ceesay were arrested while covering a peaceful protest in Banjul. Photojournalist Matarr Jassey was assaulted by police during the same protest.
- March 2026: Jollof News editor Momodou Justice Darboe was beaten by police officers at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, detained for six hours, and charged with “common nuisance.”
- April 2026: GRTS reporter Omar P. Jallow was interrogated by intelligence officers and barred from covering the Vice President after attending a community event with an opposition leader.
- Journalists from Askanwi Media and Voice Out Digital were excluded from official events after publishing critical reports.
“These cases highlight a disturbing pattern of intolerance toward critical reporting among public institutions,” the GPU warned.
Restrictive Laws Threaten Free Expression
While sedition and criminal defamation laws have been repealed, new legislation continues to undermine press freedom. The Criminal Offences Act (2025) reintroduced “false publication” provisions, punishable by imprisonment or heavy fines. The pending Cybercrime Bill (2023) and Communications Bill (2025) grant sweeping surveillance powers, impose harsh penalties, and threaten journalistic confidentiality.
The Access to Information Act (2021), hailed as a landmark achievement, remains unimplemented. Public bodies have not designated information officers or established systems to process requests, leaving journalists and citizens without meaningful access to information.
GPU’s Call to Action
The Union urged the ACHPR to press the Gambian government to:
- Investigate and prosecute attacks on journalists.
- End harassment and intimidation of media workers.
- Fully implement the Truth Commission’s recommendations on media law reform.
- Review or repeal restrictive provisions in the Cybercrime Bill and Communications Bill.
- Operationalize the Access to Information Act without further delay.
“The safety of journalists, media independence, and the right to information are fundamental to democracy,” Joof declared, calling for urgent action to protect press freedom in The Gambia.
